China Dismisses U.S. Human-Trafficking Report As "Irresponsible"

China opposes a U.S. report that cites it among the world's worst offenders in fighting human trafficking.

BEIJING, CHINA (JUNE 20, 2013) (REUTERS) - China on Thursday (June 20) lashed back at a U.S. report that listed Beijing among the world's worst offenders in fighting forced labour and sex trafficking.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China firmly rejected accusations against it in the annual report compiled by the U.S. State Department.

"China has made tangible efforts and achieved remarkable progress in fighting domestic and transnational human trafficking. China is willing to have communication and cooperation in cracking down on human trafficking with theUnited States and other countries based on equality and mutual benefit. But we firmly oppose making irresponsible accusations against China on this issue. We think the U.S. should take an objective and impartial view of China's efforts, and stop making unilateral or arbitrary judgements of China," Hua told a regular news conference in Beijing.

The U.S. report acknowledged that China had taken some steps, such as vowing to work with international organizations and increasing public awareness, but said it also continued to perpetuate the problem in hundreds of its own institutions.

The report said China's one-child policy and preference for sons had reduced the number of women in the country, generating demand for women as brides or prostitutes.

The State Department ranks countries according to the efforts they make to fight human trafficking. Russia, China and Uzbekistan all fell to the lowest level, Tier 3.